Introduction
In the world of Japanese cuisine, sushi may be the most famous food. But there’s so much more to this country than just raw fish! Here are ten delicious dishes that will change the way you think about Japanese cuisine:
miso soup
Miso soup is a Japanese soup made from dashi, tofu, and fermented soybean paste. It’s a simple and healthy dish that anyone who loves miso soup can enjoy during cold weather
Beyond Sushi..
Miso soup is commonly served at Japanese restaurants in the U.S., but you can also make it yourself at home if you have access to dashi (a stock made from seaweed) or kombu (a type of seaweed). You may even find these ingredients at your local supermarket!
ramen
Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup. It has been described as “comfort food” and a “great way to eat leftovers.”
Ramen originated in China, where it was called baozi (Chinese: 餃子) or mianzi (Chinese: 漱粉), both of which mean noodles in English. In Japan, ramen was initially called lottery (Japanese: 麺頭) or shio shoyu ramen (Japanese: 生姜醤油ラーメン).
udon
Udon, or wheat noodle, is a type of noodle often served in broth. The thick and chewy noodles are often filled with tempura, battered pieces of deep-fried seafood, or vegetables. Udon also comes with a dipping sauce for the sauce to be added to your udon before eating it.
There are many types of udon, including shio (salty), shoyu (soy sauce), miso (fermented bean paste), tonkatsu (pork cutlet), and soba noodle varieties, among others! Beyond Sushi.
donburi
Donburi (ドンピ) is a Japanese rice bowl dish. It’s often served with meat, fish, or vegetables in the donburi and topped with sauce.
Donburi is usually served with a small bowl of miso soup on the side.
okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki, or “house specialty,” is a savory pancake made with flour, eggs, shredded cabbage, and meat. It’s cooked on a grill until the outside is crisp Beyond Sushi. and the inside soft enough to fold over your omelet.
Okonomiyaki can be topped with a variety of ingredients, including seafood (shrimp), cheese (American), and vegetables (corn). Originating in Hiroshima, okonomiyaki has become popular in Osaka, where it’s often served at festivals as part of traditional street food.
gyudon
Gyudon is a beef bowl dish that’s popular in Japan. The beef is cooked in soy sauce, sugar, and sake (a Japanese liquor). It’s then served with rice, egg, and vegetables.
yakiniku
Yakiniku is a type of Japanese cuisine. It consists of grilled meats and vegetables, often served with rice or noodles.
Yakiniku, also known as kalbi (meaning “grilled meat”), refers to the cut used for this dish: short ribs or loin chops. In addition to its Korean origins, yakiniku can be traced back to shabu; however, it has become more prevalent in Japan than elsewhere worldwide due to its widespread popularity in Japanese restaurants throughout East Asia and South East Asia.
kare-raise
Kare-raise is a Japanese dish that combines curry sauce with rice. It’s a favorite of Japanese people, and it’s easy to make at home as long as you have some curry paste (which can be found in most grocery stores) and some brown rice. The classic kare-raise consists of meat or vegetables on top of the rice, but other versions may call for more or less meat depending on what you want to eat!
You can get kare-raise delivered through GrubHub or Seamless if you don’t feel like cooking yourself—make sure it’s not too spicy before ordering!
tempura
Tempura is a Japanese dish consisting of seafood and vegetables that are battered, deep-fried, and served with a dipping sauce. The word tempura means “to fry” in Japanese. It’s often done with two types of spices: soy sauce or vinegar-based.
There is so much more to Japanese cuisine than sushi
Sushi is only one part of Japanese cuisine. The other parts include:
- Ramen, udon, and okonomiyaki (Japanese noodles)
- Gyudon (a beef dish)
- Yakiniku (grilled meats), are-raised (grilled chicken and vegetables), tempura
Conclusion
Japanese cuisine is a world apart from your typical sushi or sashimi experience. In the city of Tokyo alone, you can explore so many different options for delicious and healthy meals that will leave you full and happy for hours! Beyond Sushi.
